Enterprise & IT Governance – Module 8 Vocabulary

These vocabulary flashcards summarize key terms, frameworks, principles, processes, and maturity concepts related to enterprise governance, TOGAF Architecture Governance, COBIT 2019, ITIL 4, and CMMI as presented in Module 8.

Enterprise Governance

The overarching framework that integrates corporate, technology, IT, and architecture governance to direct and control an entire organization.

Corporate Governance

Board-level discipline that sets and monitors policies, processes, and authority structures for the whole enterprise.

Technology Governance

Controls how an organization researches, develops, and uses technology to build its products and services; broader than IT governance.

IT Governance

Oversight of structures, processes, and relational mechanisms enabling business-IT alignment and value creation from IT investments.

Architecture Governance

Practice of managing and controlling enterprise and other architectures at an enterprise-wide level.

Discipline (Governance)

Characteristic requiring all parties to follow established procedures and authority structures.

Transparency (Governance)

Characteristic ensuring actions and decision support are open to authorized inspection.

Independence (Governance)

Characteristic that minimizes conflicts of interest in processes and decision-making.

Accountability (Governance)

Requirement that authorized groups are answerable for the actions they take.

Responsibility (Governance)

Obligation of each party to act responsibly toward the organization and its stakeholders.

Fairness (Governance)

Principle that no decision or process should create unjust advantage for any party.

TOGAF ADM Phase G

Phase devoted to implementation governance—overseeing change projects that realize the approved architecture.

Implementation Governance

Subset of architecture governance focusing on guiding and controlling architecture realization projects.

Architecture Governance Framework (TOGAF)

Generic structure separating process, content, and context to manage architectures and governance artifacts flexibly.

Policy Management (AG Process)

Process that registers, validates, ratifies, manages, and publishes governance policies and related content.

Compliance (AG Process)

Ongoing assessment of designs and operations against SLAs, OLAs, standards, and regulations.

Dispensation (AG Process)

Time-bound approval allowing temporary deviation from standards while maintaining service/operational criteria.

Environment Management

Monitoring operational and service elements against SLAs/OLAs and providing feedback for adjustment.

Business Control Environment

Services ensuring repository and governance framework operate effectively (access, training, reporting, etc.).

Capability-Based Planning

Process of engineering and delivering strategic business capabilities involving people, processes, and technology.

COBIT

ISACA framework for enterprise information and technology governance.

COBIT 2019

Latest COBIT version offering six governance principles, 40 processes, design factors, and CMMI-based performance management.

COBIT 5

Earlier COBIT version with five principles, 37 processes, and ISO/IEC 33000-based performance scale.

Provide Stakeholder Value

First COBIT 2019 principle; governance must deliver benefits aligned with stakeholder needs.

Holistic Approach (COBIT)

Principle that governance should consider multiple, integrated components and perspectives.

Dynamic Governance System

COBIT 2019 principle emphasizing adaptability to changing contexts and requirements.

Governance Distinct from Management

Principle separating governance activities (ensure/monitor) from management activities (plan/build/run).

Tailored to Enterprise Needs

COBIT 2019 principle stating governance system must fit organizational context via design factors.

End-to-End Governance System

Principle ensuring coverage of all information and technology functions across the enterprise.

Design Factors (COBIT 2019)

Contextual elements (e.g., strategy, risk, threat landscape) used to weight and tailor governance objectives.

Components (COBIT 2019)

Renamed ‘enablers’; include processes, organizational structures, information, culture, people, services, and infrastructure.

COBIT Performance Management

Capability/maturity measurement using CMMI-based 0-5 scale to assess processes and governance system.

ISO/IEC 33000

Standard on which COBIT 5’s 0-5 capability scale (SPICE) is based.

ITIL

Library of best practices for IT service management, delivering and supporting IT services.

ITIL 4

2019 revision emphasizing agility, value co-creation, and integration of IT with business; introduces Service Value System.

ITIL Guiding Principles

Nine core recommendations: Focus on value, Design for experience, Start where you are, Work holistically, Observe directly, Be transparent, Collaborate, Keep it simple, and Progress iteratively.

Service Value Chain (SVC)

Heart of ITIL 4 converting demand/opportunity into value through Plan, Improve, Engage, Design/Transition, Obtain/Build, Deliver/Support activities.

Service Value System (SVS)

ITIL 4 model combining guiding principles, governance, SVC, practices, and continual improvement to create value.

Continual Improvement Model

ITIL 4 method (kaizen) for ongoing enhancement and waste reduction across services.

ITIL Management Practices

44 practices: 14 general, 17 service, and 3 technical management capabilities supporting the SVS.

CMMI

Capability Maturity Model Integration—framework for process improvement with five maturity levels.

Initial (CMMI Level 1)

Ad hoc, chaotic processes; success relies on individual heroics.

Managed (CMMI Level 2)

Projects plan, perform, measure, and control processes; practices may vary by project.

Defined (CMMI Level 3)

Organization-wide standards, procedures, and methods are established and tailored by projects; enterprise architecture becomes especially useful.

Quantitatively Managed (CMMI Level 4)

Processes governed by quantitative quality and performance objectives aligned with stakeholder needs.

Optimizing (CMMI Level 5)

Continuous improvement through incremental and innovative technological enhancements.

Enterprise Architecture & CMMI

EA provides constraints and guidelines necessary once an organization reaches CMMI Level 3 or higher.

Benefits of CMMI

Reduced costs and defects, faster time-to-market, higher productivity, and better flaw detection.